Quality Assurance Technician

About the Role

As a Quality Assurance Technician I (QA Tech I) at Ghirardelli, you will test and inspect products and processes at various stages of the manufacturing process to ensure adherence to company quality and food safety standards. This role involves establishing and executing the disposition of products that do not meet quality standards, performing and documenting quality and food safety results, and conducting analytical testing of raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished products.

Responsibilities

• Conduct analytical testing of raw materials, WIP, and finished product to assure company standards are met, including tests for color, particle size, fat content, moisture content, viscosity, pH, count per pound, free fatty acid and peroxide value, and flavor.
• Perform case cutting product analysis to evaluate product quality and prevent large-scale issues.
• Utilize Good Laboratory Practices when conducting testing, handling out-of-specification results, labeling solutions, and recording data.
• Maintain proper calibration and verification of laboratory equipment and document results in the Internal Control Plan; take corrective action for equipment deviations.
• Conduct co-manufacturing product analysis on retain samples and maintain records.
• Utilize an electronic record-keeping system to ensure testing results comply with standards.
• Monitor electronic weight and attribute systems to ensure compliance with company weight and quality standards; communicate deviations for corrective action.
• Hold non-conforming raw materials, packaging materials, WIP, and finished product.
• Investigate and troubleshoot non-conformities and recommend appropriate disposition for products not meeting company quality standards.
• Conduct Food Safety and Quality audits of production lines and records to ensure compliance with established standards.
• Perform environmental sampling at the required frequency, adhering to the Environmental Monitoring Program.
• Verify and document proper allergen cleanup after production changeovers.
• Create and update documents to reflect current processes and methodology accurately.
• Assist in training new technicians.
• Maintain the laboratory and work areas according to 5S standards.
• Prepare Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for customers upon request.
• Recommend modifications to quality and production standards to achieve optimum quality.
• Participate in special projects and other miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; 3+ years of related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred (Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, or a closely related field) with 1+ years of related experience.

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

• Frequent to constant repetitive fine manipulation (keyboarding, ten key, writing).
• Occasional sitting.
• Constant walking and standing.
• Rare to occasional twisting of the neck and waist.
• Rare to occasional reaching at or below shoulder level.
• Rare to occasional usage of verbal communication equipment (telephone, radio, cellular).
• Rare to occasional squatting, bending, stooping, or stretching.
• Work in a laboratory with equipment and machinery.
• High noise environment.
• A willingness to work weekend hours, overtime, and any of the shifts required.

Schedule

1st, 2nd, or 3rd shift.

Pay

Hourly pay: $26.50.